25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World

[Miguel]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World

The sheep is also on the flag of the territory, it shows how important the animal is to the Falkland Islanders

LMAO at them putting a sheep on their flag.

#17 and #16 facts coming very soon.

 

[seb89]

Re: Amazing Facts of Countries | Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World

They so do! Shame those Vietnamese went to war!

But forget about the French! The United Kingdom still has the most territories in the world AND has them on all 7 continents, the only nation on every continent of the world!

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HAHAHA! Go !

 

[seb89]

Re: Amazing Facts of Countries | Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World

Some other facts about Belgium, besides our cool world record

*Belgium produces 220,000 tons of chocolate per year. That’s about 22kg of chocolate per person in Belgium.

*A 2007 European Report stated Belgium has the lowest salary gap between men and women in the EU after Malta. Belgium has the highest proportion of female ministers in the world (55% in 2000) and was one of the first to have a female parliamentarian, in 1921.

*Belgium has compulsory education up to 18 years old. This is one of the highest in the world.

*Belgium also has enforced compulsory voting.

*Belgians pay some of the highest tax rates in the world, around 40% of their gross earnings. Taxation represents 45.6 % of the country’s GDP.

*Belgium grants the most new citizenships per capita in the world after Canada. 1.6 million people in Belgium are immigrants or children or grandchildren of immigrants. That’s 15% of the population.

*Belgium has the highest density of roads and railroads in the world. It is the country with the 3rd most vehicles per square kilometre after the Netherlands and Japan. Because of the quantiy of lights, the Belgian highway system is the only man-made structure visible from the moon at night.

*The longest tramway line in the world is the Belgian coast tram (68 km), which operates between De Panne and Knokke-Heist, from the French border to the Dutch border.

*Spa, Belgium is home to Europe’s first modern health resort, opened in the 18th century and Europe’s first casino, “la Redoute”, opened in 1763.

*Belgium is also home to Europe’s oldest shopping arcades, the Galeries St Hubert in Brussels, opened in 1847.

* The Law Courts of Brussels is the largest court of justice in the world (26,000 m² at ground level). It is bigger than Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. (no wonder criminals escape there every week )

* Most people have heard of the comic strip Tintin, but did you know that in 70 years of existence, 200 million books of “The Adventures of Tintin” have been sold worldwide. Belgium also has more comic makers per square km than any other country in the world, even Japan.

 

[MyHeartIsYours]

Re: Amazing Facts of Countries | Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World

HAHAHA! Go !

We gotta beat France! :twisted:

 

[Miguel]

Re: Amazing Facts of Countries | Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World

Some other facts about Belgium, besides our cool world record

*Belgium produces 220,000 tons of chocolate per year. That’s about 22kg of chocolate per person in Belgium.

*A 2007 European Report stated Belgium has the lowest salary gap between men and women in the EU after Malta. Belgium has the highest proportion of female ministers in the world (55% in 2000) and was one of the first to have a female parliamentarian, in 1921.

*Belgium has compulsory education up to 18 years old. This is one of the highest in the world.

*Belgium also has enforced compulsory voting.

*Belgians pay some of the highest tax rates in the world, around 40% of their gross earnings. Taxation represents 45.6 % of the country’s GDP.

*Belgium grants the most new citizenships per capita in the world after Canada. 1.6 million people in Belgium are immigrants or children or grandchildren of immigrants. That’s 15% of the population.

*Belgium has the highest density of roads and railroads in the world. It is the country with the 3rd most vehicles per square kilometre after the Netherlands and Japan. Because of the quantiy of lights, the Belgian highway system is the only man-made structure visible from the moon at night.

*The longest tramway line in the world is the Belgian coast tram (68 km), which operates between De Panne and Knokke-Heist, from the French border to the Dutch border.

*Spa, Belgium is home to Europe’s first modern health resort, opened in the 18th century and Europe’s first casino, “la Redoute”, opened in 1763.

*Belgium is also home to Europe’s oldest shopping arcades, the Galeries St Hubert in Brussels, opened in 1847.

* The Law Courts of Brussels is the largest court of justice in the world (26,000 m² at ground level). It is bigger than Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome. (no wonder criminals escape there every week )

* Most people have heard of the comic strip Tintin, but did you know that in 70 years of existence, 200 million books of “The Adventures of Tintin” have been sold worldwide. Belgium also has more comic makers per square km than any other country in the world, even Japan.

OMG! That's too much.

Interesting post. So far we have China and Belgium. Let me do one for my country.

 

[seb89]

Re: Amazing Facts of Countries | Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World

OMG! That's too much.

Interesting post. So far we have China and Belgium. Let me do one for my country.

True ! We have 7 parliaments, so we need to pay all those politicians somehow .

We also get a lot in return of course, free healthcare, cheap education, etc.

Yeaaah! you should do it

 

[Miguel]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#18)

17: Largest number of tanks – Russia

It is a strange title to hold, but Russia has by far the most tanks of any army in the world (21,000). Unfortunately for the motherland most of these outdated machines are tributes to its past, and although outnumbered (16,000), the United States has a much more advanced tank inventory.

16: The land of no rivers – Saudi Arabia

Sounds a bit strange doesn’t it? For a country as big as Saudi Arabia there has to be at least some sort of flowing water. Well, there isn’t. Most of their fresh water comes from desalinization plants or underground reservoirs.

 

[Miguel]

Re: Amazing Facts of Countries | Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World

True ! We have 7 parliaments, so we need to pay all those politicians somehow .

We also get a lot in return of course, free healthcare, cheap education, etc.

Yeaaah! you should do it

But still... It's too much money. Not every nation can afford it. 40% is unthinkable here.

I will. I just don't know where to start.

 

[DannyDS]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#16)

Some facts about my Mama's country. Fabulous CHILEEEEE

Chile borders three different countries; Argentina to the east, Bolivia to the northeast and Peru to the north

Chile has an unusual ribbon shape. It is 4300 km long and just 175 km wide (on average)

Forests, grazing land, volcanoes and lakes are all features of southern Chile.

Chile had to endure a 17 year military dictatorship between 1973-1990 that left more than 3000 people either dead or missing

It is believed that Native Americans settled in Chile about 10,000 years ago. They settled along the coast as the most fertile land was found there

Michelle Bachelet Jeria was the first woman president ever in Chile and was elected in January 2006.

Chile is the world’s 38th largest country. It is about twice the size of Japan

The population of Chile is expected to be about 20.2 million by 2050

About 10% of the Chilean population consider themselves indigenous to the region. However, according to the 2002 census, only about half of these people still speak a native language or practice a native culture

There are an estimated 840,000 Chileans living abroad. More than half of these live in Argentina.

The most popular sport in Chile is football (soccer to Australians and Americans). The Chilean football team won a bronze medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Tennis is the second most popular sport in Chile, with Fernando González the last Chilean to reach a Grand Slam singles final.

The two gold medals won by Chile in the Olympic Games come from tennis. They have also won six silver medals (in athletics, equestrian, boxing and shooting) and four bronze medals (in tennis, boxing and football).

Tourism is growing very quickly in Chile. In 2005, tourism generated more than $US4.5 billion.

The main language spoken in Chile is Spanish, but there are also many indigenous languages that are spoken by a minority of Chileans.

Catholicism is the main religion is Chile.

Thank you for your attention honey boo boos

 

[Miguel]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#16)

+ Chile! Well done.

 

[Miguel]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#16)

15: Youngest population of any country – Niger

Generally the worlds youngest country is determined by calculating the portion of the population that is younger than 15. Presently it is Niger that holds this distinction with roughly half of its population having barely reached puberty (49%).

 

[seb89]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#15)

Chile!!!

 

[DannyDS]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#15)

Chile!!!

yeeeeahhhh buddy

 

[seb89]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#15)

Chile is awesome! Friendly people, fascinating country, interesting history,.. I loved the courses on Chile

 

[Miguel]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#15)

Tomorrow I'll update this until the top 10. You can expect two Eurovision countries: and .

We cannot wait.

 

[Miguel]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#15)

14: Most diverse country in the world – India

In almost every category – culturally, economically, climatically, racially, linguistically, ethnically, and religiously India is either the most diverse country in the world, or the runner-up.

13: Fastest disappearing nation – Ukraine

With a natural decrease in population of .8% annually, between now and 2050 Ukraine is expected to lose around 30% of its people.

 

[EscGeek]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#13)

I'm sad about .... they are my favorite eurovision nation1

If I was president of Ukraine, contraception would be ilegal

 

[Miguel]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#13)

I'm sad about .... they are my favorite eurovision nation1

If I was president of Ukraine, contraception would be ilegal

The birth rate is not their only problem, though. Life expectancy is falling. The nation suffers a high mortality rate from environmental pollution, poor diets, widespread smoking, extensive alcoholism, and deteriorating medical care. Let's see what happens in the future.

An interesting article

 

[Miguel]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#13)

12: Most of its citizens live abroad – Malta

After some rough economic times coupled with an increased birth rate, Malta experienced significant immigration. It was so significant that there are now more Maltese living abroad than within the country itself.

11: Smaller than Central Park in New York City – Monaco

Although Vatican City is smaller (.17 sq mi) than Monaco (.8 sq mi), unlike the latter it doesn’t have any permanent residents which leaves Monaco as the smallest permanently inhabited nation in the world…smaller than Central Park.

 

[Miguel]

Re: Countdown: 25 Amazing Facts about Countries Around the World (#25-#11)

10: Almost entirely covered in jungle – Suriname

With 91% of its land covered in jungle Suriname’s half-a-million residents live primarily along the coast near the capital. Only 5% of the population (mainly indigenous people) live inland.

9: Almost entirely treeless – Haiti

On the opposite end of the spectrum is Haiti, a country that has been so badly deforested that you can tell where it borders the Dominican Republic by looking at a satellite image (Haiti is on the left in the photo above).